Now, here is – was – a fine Leicester cinema building. I often drove past it and made a note to go and see a film there, but as it was on the other side of town, never quite got there.

No prizes for recognising that it was, of course, Fosse Cinema, which stood on the corner of Fosse Road North and Pool Road.

Clearly, just on outside appearances alone, it was a fine Art Deco structure, but I was interested to discover more about this unmistakable building's story.

For reader Ken Ward, the site held many special memories – because he was born in a nursing home that occupied the site before the cinema was built.

"In 1933, it was demolished as a nursing home and rebuilt as the Fosse Cinema," recalled Mr Ward, of Leicester.

"My late mother always told me that the home was actually being pulled down while giving birth to me, and said I was the last baby to be born at 1 Pool Road, as that was the address of the maternity home."

The cinema did not open until 1936, after a delay, due to lack of funds.

It was built as part of a cinema chain founded in 1916 by George Scarborough.

At the time, it was regarded as one of the most modern picture houses, with fine architectural detail, including colourful stained glass panels.

Full house: The Fosse Cinema was later converted into a bingo and social club

Twenty years ago, readers wrote to Mr Leicester with their happy memories of when the Fosse opened.

Mrs S Bates, of Birstall, wrote: "My mum and dad got married in July 1936. They were in the throes of building the Fosse.

"When my mum came by in her wedding car, the men on their lunch break wished her well."

Reader John Billson, of Leicester, even attended the Fosse's opening night:

"At that time, a famous act called Clapham and Dwyer were appearing at Leicester's Palace Theatre.

"During the interval, the comedy duo made a quick dash to the Fosse to officially open it.

"After that grand opening, we all filed in and settled down to a good film – the Marx Brothers' A Night At The Opera.